Few label names are as synonymous with diversity and quality as that
of Putumayo. Over the years the Putumayo label has released
a ton of records covering folk/indigenous music from America to African
and Jamaican to Israel and just about every other place there is music
to be found. Putumayo's releases are timely, concerned more with documenting
music as it happens now, rather than focusing on where the modern
trends originated. One of the labels more recent collections is entitled
Americana, and covers the blooming world of the alt. country
scene happening right now.

Americana features a breadth of artists as diverse as the music that
they play, but all with the common thematic elements of music that
is derived from the folk music of the American people in the 19th
century. Some of these songs, like the Tim O'Brien version
of "House Of The Rising Sun" which draws deeply from Appalachian
mountain music, are filled with dobro, mandolin, and acoustic guitar
and contain that special darkness that was developed in that locale.
Others, like The Little Willies' "It's Not You It's Me",
are a fusion of archetypal jazz elements with some swinging Texas
rhythms or the straightforward bluegrass of Alison Brown's
"Deep Gap". The trademark sound of the Americana movement
has always been the singer/songwriter and we have a few excellent
examples presented here. The rambling tale of Robert Earl Keen,
Jr.'s "Ride" is filled with his own particular grace
and storytelling ability, creating one of the most ramblingly beautiful
soundscapes with which to travel cross-country. Robinella's
amazing "Down The Mountain" is the perfect starting track
for this collection, a softly ambling, light bluegrass track with
her distinct and haunting vocals. Josh Ritter's dark tale of
love and loss "Harrisburg" is included here, a true testament
to the abilities of today's songwriters, easily equaling the work
of the late 60's folk movement.

If you are a music fan interested in getting to know about the
Americana genre, Putumayo has assembled a very good, concise collection
of songs that would be a great beginning to your travels. If you
are an established fan of the genre and simply want a great little
collection of some songs that you may not have otherwise heard,
then this is a great companion CD to own and maybe carry with
you as a reference for when you meet folks that aren't wise to the
new sounds of today's folk masters yet.